Postoperative vitamin profile after receiving a novel peripheral parenteral nutrition solution: Multicenter randomized controlled phase III trial.

INTRODUCTION: We assessed the efficacy and safety of OPF-105, a novel all-in-one peripheral parenteral nutrition (PPN) solution containing multivitamins by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in 2000 (FDA2000 recommendation).

METHODS: We conducted a phase III trial administering OPF-105 or BFL (combination of a commercially available PPN solution (BFI) and fat emulsion (ILI)) to patients after gastrointestinal (GI) tract surgery from postoperative day (POD) 1 up to POD14. Until POD7, nutrients were provided only with OPF-105 or BFL. After blood sampling on POD8, oral food intake was permitted. PPN was administered according to the amount of food intake.

RESULTS: Efficacy endpoints were assessed in 99 subjects (OPF group: 52; BFL group: 47). The levels of blood proteins and fatty acids in the two groups were similar on POD8. The transition of these mean levels was similar in both groups from POD1 or 2 to POD9 to 15. The mean preoperative blood vitamin levels were within reference intervals (RIs). On POD1 (before administration), the mean levels of most blood vitamins decreased compared to those of the preoperative levels. In the BFL group, the mean blood levels of vitamin B2, B6, pantothenic acid (PA), folic acid (FA), biotin, and C decreased below or near the lower limit of RIs on POD8, and the mean blood levels of vitamin B6 and C remained low from POD9 to 15. In the OPF group, the mean blood levels of vitamins, excluding vitamin K, were within RIs on POD8 and POD9 to 15. The mean levels of blood vitamin K increased over the upper limit of RIs on POD8 but within RIs from POD9 to 15. There was no obvious difference in the incidence of adverse events between the two groups, which are common after GI tract surgeries.

CONCLUSION: Blood vitamin levels were decreased when patients were administered PPN without vitamin supplementation during the first week after surgery. The novel PPN formula containing multivitamins recommended by FDA2000 can be safely administered to postoperative patients to maintain blood vitamin levels.